As more folks look to consume more sustainably, innovators and other startups have discovered that mushrooms are pretty versatile. Mushroom-based packaging substrates, for example, can be grown and harvested sustainably, are biodegradable, compostable, and a durable replacement for expanded polystyrene. But plastic pollution isn’t the only existential crisis putting mushrooms to work. Some firms, like Meati Foods, are turning mushrooms into a more climate-friendly alternative to meat, even steak.
Meati Foods, founded in 2017, now runs a “ranch” in Colorado where it grows fungus from spores in highly controlled and fine-tuned conditions in a clean room environment, eliminating the need for pesticides, antibiotics, or growth hormones. Meati’s mushroom-based steaks and cutlets have also won over restauranteurs and chefs David Chang and Tom Colicchio, the latter of whom is an investor and advisor.
Visually, branding for Meati is casual, warm, and friendly. Typography for the wordmark features wide round curves. The lowercase “e” is fun and is reminiscent of Pac-Man, while the color palette is primarily mellow orange and yellow hues. An illustration of mycelium with a cute smiling face at the center sits at the corner of the box.
Availability is mainly limited to restaurants and stores in Colorado and Arizona, with occasional drops on Meati’s website.
Images courtesy of Meati.
